WELCOME TO TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY International Student PreArrival

WELCOME TO TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY International Student Pre-Arrival Orientation– Living On-Campus Fall 2015

LIVING ON CAMPUS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW All beginning freshman MUST live on campus. Only transfer students, juniors, and seniors are permitted to live off campus.

LIVING ON CAMPUS: POLICIES & RULES No weapons on campus! • No Guns • No Bow & Arrows • No BB Guns and/or BBs • No Sling shots • No Airsoft guns • No paintball guns • No C 02 Canisters for Paintball guns • No ammunition of any kind or anything that can be turned into a weapon such as Knuchucks etc.

LIVING ON CAMPUS: BREAKS & HOLIDAYS Week Long Breaks Midterm Break: October 15 -16, 2015 Halls close at 6 p. m. on Friday and reopen at 10 a. m. on Sunday. You may sign up to stay over these breaks, but there will be an extra cost. Winter Break Residence Halls close over winter break, students will not be allowed to remain in the residence halls during that time. If you plan to remain in Kirksville over winter break, you must make arrangements for short-term, off-campus housing. You can do this on the housing page or by asking friends for ideas. Apartments remain open during breaks.

LIVING ON CAMPUS WITH YOUR AMERICAN ROOMMATE GENERAL TIPS: Talk to your roommate: Don’t be shy! It may seem very awkward at first, but it is important to try and understand each other as much as possible. Fill out the Roommate Agreement Form early so both of you understand expectations. Visitors: Let your roommate know when you are ok with visitors and when you are not. Ask them if they have problems with your friends, classmates or significant other visiting at certain times. Having late visitors could be viewed as disrespectful. Keeping the room in order: Set up a cleaning schedule with your roommate(s) and suite mates (if you have them). This is especially important in regards to bathrooms. Shared Space: Americans really like their personal space. Talk to your roommate what items and spaces are shared and what is personal. It is very important not to touch someone else’s things unless you know they are ok with it.

LIVING ON CAMPUS WITH YOUR AMERICAN ROOMMATE Things Americans are weird about - Smells and hygiene: Natural Body Odor: Americans believe that natural body odors are a sign of poor hygiene and lack of cleanliness. It is expected to shower every day and use a lot of deodorant. While you will meet some people who do not shower every day, most people will wear deodorant all the time. To do otherwise is considered non-hygienic. This is a common problem between international students and American roommates. Perfume/cologne/body spray: Even though natural body odors are not acceptable in the U. S. , Americans generally do not wear strong perfumes either. While light body sprays are fairly normal, some people are allergic to stronger perfumes. Smoking: Smoking is not as common in the United States as it is in other countries. Like strong perfume, many people are allergic to the odor, so it is not polite to smoke in closed spaces. Smoking is illegal in most places in the United States. You should not expect to smoke

LIVING ON CAMPUS WITH YOUR AMERICAN ROOMMATE How to discuss a problem with your roommate: • Different cultures handle conflict differently. In some cultures, you can discreetly imply there is a problem and the other person will understand. In some cultures, you must tell the person very directly that there is a problem. • Likely, you and your roommate will have different styles of dealing with conflict. If they do not seem to understand when you imply there is a problem, you might need to be more direct. • If you are confused, talk to your SA (this is a person who helps students on their floor) • Be willing to compromise. Conflicts are best resolved when all parties work together to reach a favorable outcome. • If you have something on your mind, listen first and then

LIVING ON CAMPUS WITH YOUR AMERICAN ROOMMATE HOW TO HANDLE IT WHEN YOU ARE CONFRONTED ABOUT AN ISSUE: • Don’t think it means you have done something terrible. Americans may be more or less direct than you are used to. The person probably doesn’t mean to embarrass you. They are likely just trying to show to do better. • Be willing to listen. • Don’t automatically start defending yourself. It took a lot of courage to talk to you about the situation. Be open and understanding of what your friend/ roommate has to say. • Don’t make excuses or pass the blame • Be willing to compromise. Conflicts are best resolved when all parties work together to reach a favorable outcome.

LIVING ON CAMPUS Meal Plans & Housing Contracts

EATING ON CAMPUS • You will choose your meal plan and sign your housing contract on Truview. truman. edu • Email Laurie Hall at lrhall@truman. edu if you need to change it later.

LIVING ON CAMPUS • Remember that housing contracts are binding. If you want to break your housing contract, it will cost you a lot of money. Exchange students who are here for one semester should choose a one year housing contract. These are the only students who are not required to reside in the residence halls for the full duration of their contract. • Transfer students are welcome to live on campus, but are not required to do so. • Think about how often you plan to eat in the dining halls before choosing your meal plan. There are not a lot of restaurants in Kirksville. But if you choose 20 meals per week in your dining hall, but do not use all of them, you will not receive a refund for the meals you don’t use.